Cool, I have this one on the way. I'm hoping to watch a couple build videos on it before I tuck into it. 😎👍 Back years ago, I owned a 1975 Firebird (with the Poncho 350). Over eight years I put over 200,000 miles on it, having 60,000+ on it when I bought it. I wore it slap out. I'd love to have a model of it. One of Rockford's 'Birds was a 1975. 😊
It sure was. I had the 74 with the small back window. I got just about as good at the J turn as he was. LOL I built up the suspension and then took the engine apart and built it up too. It was getting hard to find leaded gas. I still kept a Rochester carb in her. I got good at working on them and it was very responsive.
I drove my '75 out to Mare Island, California from my Navy Home Port of Norfolk, Va. twice, going and coming. That was a LOT of miles over five months. I found I was getting a lot of wheel hop on the Cali. hills, so I soon added L60 tires on back and a set of traction bars, which cured it and gave my 'Bird a mean look. Only ever got one speeding ticket, going through Nawlins late one night at about 85MPH. The cop was mighty proud of his new traffic radar. 😅 I had also removed the no longer working AC and anything else that didn't help it run, like the emmisions stuff. Gained a few extra ponies and shed some weight.. 😊
I liked the Pontiac specific motors, but sometimes had trouble buying speed parts. Counter guy kept trying to sell me 350 Chevy smallblock stuff! Won't fit a Poncho 350! 😅
Mark, Great kit. It is a Revell Repop from 2001 Kit # 85-2342. I have the 2001 release about 98% done, Started it about 6 yrs ago. and still not finished yet.
Yes, I'm so happy to be able to get my hands on one. I missed the last posting of them. I have a few kits like that. One is a 96 scale Constitution. Not sure if I'll ever get back to that one.
I tried to find your old Pontiac in a kit. I would have built it just like yours, put a guy driving it and another poor sap pushing it down the road. LMAO.
Yep, I ended up replacing the front springs when I put the big engine in along with a sway bar from a 3/4 ton GM truck and a Pontiac sway bar in the back along with new leaf springs. A set of air shocks and ladders and not only did she jump off the line, but she would run the California mountain roads like a Formula 1.
I’ve been wanting one of these kits for a long time, but the older versions were too expensive for me. Now that there is a reissue, gotta get it now. Thanks for the detailed review!
great looking car model kit.i like when the body is molded in white.and what I do with my model instructions.when finished.i put them in a model kit box.to save what I've built.to look at someday.
I will actually shy away from a kit molded in something other than white. I have a drawer with all my instructions in it. Don't know why, just can't toss them. LOL
Denver Gold 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit for the first season.Garner reportedly did not like the front-end styling of the 1979 Firebird, so a 1978 was used for the last three seasons.and it looked like the interior looked like it was the same color as the car I know you will do a great job Have Fun Modeling 👍
Yes. I was with him too, I didn't like the 79s front ends either. I am going to be looking all month for pictures of the interiors. I think the seats were almost the color of Tamiya's dark yellow with just a bit of buff mixed in.
My '75 started metallic blue with a white half vinyl top, which I've never seen another of! Maybe a custom by the prior owner? I soon stripped it off, fixed some huge rust holes under it and painted the car midnight blue. Later a hail storm ruined that, and my Dad painted it Ford White.
That's a nice looking kit. Adding it to my buy list. IMHO, Rockford would not have chrome valve covers. Time to purple pond those. I think you are asking for trouble trying to open up the hood air intakes, but you have the skills to pull that off. You could try the bare metal foil under paint technique for the trunk Pontiac emblem. Seems like a perfect method for that. Thanks for sharing
Yes, I am going to put a lot in the LA Awesome for this one. I will look real close before I start cutting anything on the hood, but what the heck, if I mess it up I'll just fill in the blower hood and go with that look. LOL Thanks for watching.
Hey Mark, I'm happy you're doing a '68 Firebird. I have the same in my stash, so I'll be picking up all your tips for my build! I've got the earlier kit, no date on the box but everything is the same, but the decals which give a choice of builds being a '2 in 1'. It's from the 'Revell Muscle' series with a silver one on the box. Great build Mark with the Mustang! So many cool tips thankyou very much. I'll let you go for now, & I hope you have a better tomorrow also. Take care.🦘
Thank you very much. I think this is going to be a great kit to build. I always start off with high hopes. LOL Yes, I think your kit came out in 2001 if I'm not mistaken.
@@grandpamarkshobbies Yeah, I think you're right about being 2001, although I found, (on instructions), a 'copyright' for 2009. Hey, an 'FYI' extra: After watching your video, one popped up on my server of a 'Dr Kranky' build on your same Firebird, if you want to see what's in store! See ya again Mark, and always, take care. 👍
@@grandpamarkshobbies Yes, I think right about my earlier Firebird being a 2001 kit. I did reply earlier, but I can't see it anywhere! (Wrong button probably)? I just wanted to let you know that after watching your video, one popped up on my server about a 'Dr Cranky' build of your Firebird kit! Just in case you wanted to see what's in store for you. Anyhow, as always, take care. Catch ya. 👍
Looks like a fun kit! It's kind of fun to relive memories by building models of what we used to own. I've got a Tamiya '66 VW Beetle, several Moebius Ford bumpside (67-72 model years) pickups to re-create my '69 F250 and '68 F100 (which I made a trailer out of), and the one car I really wish I still had: a 1970 Ford Torino GT. That one cost me $50, but I just had to have it! Speaking of Moebius, any plans to do a build up of that 66 F100 you teased us with a while back?
It is so fun to relive our past in these kits. Yes, I do plan to do both of the Mobius kits. I just keep getting side tracked by builds that are called to build first. Soon I'll be doing this full time and I'll be able to catch up.
LOL. I may go both ways. Since it has the hood with the blower I may fill that in and use that hood. I'll paint both of them up and see what I like best, but it's a thought.
great vid have this kit always like unboxings to see what others see as well 😁🤩couldve had the 1/1 red/white int for 2500 that was almost 40 yrs ago😁🤩scooter😎ps always the one ya didnt buy 🤣
I picked up a 74 for 500 bucks back in 85. It ran ok, but by the time I got done with it it was a beast. I had a blast with it while I had it, but got rid of it to pay for my son. Best trade I've ever made. But I still have a huge soft spot for the old style Firebirds.
I leaned the J-turn in my '68 AMX. Ltaer did it with the '75 Firebird, took a little more effort with the longer wheelbase. The short AMX was much less stable, I could brake and regain traction at will. But with it's 290 V8, it topped out at 104MPH, but got there mighty fast. The Firebird had highway gearing and was a lot faster. I pegged the speedo more than once. 😅
Yes Paperclip Vinyl Makes plug & Distributor Boots Wires? Grocery Produce Twist ties Stripped of Plastic or Paper & They're Free instead of Paying Hobby Shops For Supply
I totally agree with that one. There's so much you can do for no cash at all that looks just as good. Now for ships I'll use PE, but not for cars. I want them to be from the box and what I can find. LOL
Awesome Mark. Another FB GB really... Lol Nope can't get me on there so quit trying... Lol So it's a 68 and not a 69? I'm a bit confused... 😕 I know talking is hard like getting in to those box's. 🤣 Yes I'm a Pontiac guy from way back... Had a 68, 69, 72 Grand Prix's... Man I had all kinds of mussel cars like the 66 Fairlane GT/Gta, 64 Galaxy 500 with 390's, 5 Scout Trucks and several other Fords and Dodges... 😁 LLAP 🖖
Yeah, I don't blame you one bit. It's a 68, but my brain was on coffee overload and I said 69 twice. LOL My brother had a LeManse Sport Coupe in blue. I really liked that car. The Firebird I picked up in the Navy was a 74 350. I did a lot of engine and suspension work to it. First transmission I ever rebuilt. I never updated the distributor, or the Rochester carb. It ran ok when I got it, but after all the work I did it flew, and it handled like a formula 1 after I did the suspension work. It sure was a great car. Now I drive a socker mom suv. Funny how things change. LOL
@@grandpamarkshobbies I do have some GTO kits 64-69, if it is a Pontiac GB I can do my YT build I guess... Lol Well see where I at in June. How long is the GB? All my Pontiac's had 400 stock engines and I can tell ya the 69 spedo went to 140 and I seen 125 in it before I backed down and she was still going... 🤯 That long nose was stretched out there om front and leading the way down the road.. 😁 Yep me too and the seats are folded down and the dogs have the whole back of the Suv...🤣🐕🐾 LLAP 🖖
Group builds never have ending dates. So jump in when you can. I had the 74 to 120, but I bailed before it did. LOL I also had it to 100 with a U haul trailer behind it once. That was fun.
In The Rockford Files, Jim Rockford drove a1974-1978. In the pilot movie and Season 1, he drove a 1974 Firebird, then switched to the next model year every season except Season 6 which premiered in 1979. Rockford continued to drive the 1978 model as he didn't like what Pontiac did to the front end of the 79. This build was a "What If" car. What would he have driven in 68 if he got a new car every year like he did in the show.
Supposedly James Garner took part in how that car would look. based on the character being a poor private eye. he thought the car should be basic. he wasn't a fan of the front end of the cars towards end of the series run.
Yes, he wanted the Esprit version body style. You are right. He hated the front end of the newer car, and wouldn't replace the year before because of it. I never liked that split 4 headlight front end either. It was because of that show that I got mine. It was a 74 350 plane jane green with a vinyl roof. I did a lot of work to it to bring up the power and handling, but kept the points and Rochester carb. It was a fun car, and I got darn good at the J turn if I don't say so myself. LOL
I found some good info online about the Rockford cars. They used '74s through '78s. All Formulas made to look like Esprits, as they wanted the extra performance. Garner did most of his own stunts and driving.
Nice memories are brought back by GrandpaMark again! Thanks - Great video as usual.
Thank you. I've been having some great memories myself. Love the birds.
The Rockford Files was my favorite show as a kid...in reruns. I may have to add that kit to my wish list.
Yeah, mine too. He always got a little roughed up, then took care of business.
Cool, I have this one on the way. I'm hoping to watch a couple build videos on it before I tuck into it. 😎👍
Back years ago, I owned a 1975 Firebird (with the Poncho 350). Over eight years I put over 200,000 miles on it, having 60,000+ on it when I bought it. I wore it slap out. I'd love to have a model of it. One of Rockford's 'Birds was a 1975. 😊
It sure was. I had the 74 with the small back window. I got just about as good at the J turn as he was. LOL I built up the suspension and then took the engine apart and built it up too. It was getting hard to find leaded gas. I still kept a Rochester carb in her. I got good at working on them and it was very responsive.
I drove my '75 out to Mare Island, California from my Navy Home Port of Norfolk, Va. twice, going and coming. That was a LOT of miles over five months. I found I was getting a lot of wheel hop on the Cali. hills, so I soon added L60 tires on back and a set of traction bars, which cured it and gave my 'Bird a mean look. Only ever got one speeding ticket, going through Nawlins late one night at about 85MPH. The cop was mighty proud of his new traffic radar. 😅
I had also removed the no longer working AC and anything else that didn't help it run, like the emmisions stuff. Gained a few extra ponies and shed some weight.. 😊
That is a ton of miles. LOL Yeah, I put on some L-70/14s on the back and that gave me the grip I was looking for. MTs were always sticky. LOL
Love the cast iron headers Pontiac made for the early engine's. 👌
Yeah, me too. They were really cool engines. CI headers and a Rochester carb. Life was good.
I liked the Pontiac specific motors, but sometimes had trouble buying speed parts. Counter guy kept trying to sell me 350 Chevy smallblock stuff! Won't fit a Poncho 350! 😅
Nope. . . Try to find 455 parts. LOL That was always fun.
Thanks Mark U just made my day. I have my 67 FB. Vert in my garage yep and it’s the GOLD color. Licking my chops on this build. 😊lol
Thank you. I plan on doing everything but lighting it.
Mark, Great kit. It is a Revell Repop from 2001 Kit # 85-2342. I have the 2001 release about 98% done, Started it about 6 yrs ago. and still not finished yet.
Yes, I'm so happy to be able to get my hands on one. I missed the last posting of them. I have a few kits like that. One is a 96 scale Constitution. Not sure if I'll ever get back to that one.
That will be a cool looking car when you're done!
I tried to find your old Pontiac in a kit. I would have built it just like yours, put a guy driving it and another poor sap pushing it down the road. LMAO.
That's a sweet looking kit. I had wheel hop issues but ladder bars fixed that.
Yep, I ended up replacing the front springs when I put the big engine in along with a sway bar from a 3/4 ton GM truck and a Pontiac sway bar in the back along with new leaf springs. A set of air shocks and ladders and not only did she jump off the line, but she would run the California mountain roads like a Formula 1.
Ladder bars fixed my wheel hop too. Great minds think alike! 😅
Looks like an awesome kit. Look forward to seeing the finished build. I'd love to build that one myself😁
It really does look sweet. I plan on pulling all the stops with this one.
I’ve been wanting one of these kits for a long time, but the older versions were too expensive for me. Now that there is a reissue, gotta get it now. Thanks for the detailed review!
I'm glad you are going to get one. It looks like a very nice kit.
Very cool review! Nice kit. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you.
great looking car model kit.i like when the body is molded in white.and what I do with my model instructions.when finished.i put them in a model kit box.to save what I've built.to look at someday.
I will actually shy away from a kit molded in something other than white. I have a drawer with all my instructions in it. Don't know why, just can't toss them. LOL
Nice unboxing Mark
Thank you very much.
Denver Gold 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit for the first season.Garner reportedly did not like the front-end styling of the 1979 Firebird, so a 1978 was used for the last three seasons.and it looked like the interior looked like it was the same color as the car I know you will do a great job Have Fun Modeling 👍
Yes. I was with him too, I didn't like the 79s front ends either. I am going to be looking all month for pictures of the interiors. I think the seats were almost the color of Tamiya's dark yellow with just a bit of buff mixed in.
I had a 68 and drove it just about everywhere
And i would love to have a model of it
Let me know and it'll happen.
Every one is so nice ! But one thing Rockford , had 1970 style Fire birds ! So there you go .
Yeah, they were all the 70s. I figure if he get's a new one every year then he would have done that back in 68 too. LOL
I love this kit. I had a previous release of this kit.
It is a good looking kit. I have high hopes for it.
This firebird is next on my list as well which i have painted forest green Rocken !
My 74 started out life as a Forest Green bird, but ended up medium light blue. Loved that car.
@@grandpamarkshobbies Awesome That's why i love kits you can sort of relive the dream !
My '75 started metallic blue with a white half vinyl top, which I've never seen another of! Maybe a custom by the prior owner? I soon stripped it off, fixed some huge rust holes under it and painted the car midnight blue. Later a hail storm ruined that, and my Dad painted it Ford White.
That is very true.
I've never seen one like that. That would be cool.
That’s a great look at the kit. I’ve been waiting for a first gen f bird. It’ll look great with my second , third and fourth gen.
It seems clean as a pin. I'm looking forward to getting into it.
Looks good, Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Thank you very much.
Sweet looking kit!
It really seems to be a good one.
That's a nice looking kit. Adding it to my buy list. IMHO, Rockford would not have chrome valve covers. Time to purple pond those. I think you are asking for trouble trying to open up the hood air intakes, but you have the skills to pull that off. You could try the bare metal foil under paint technique for the trunk Pontiac emblem. Seems like a perfect method for that. Thanks for sharing
Yes, I am going to put a lot in the LA Awesome for this one. I will look real close before I start cutting anything on the hood, but what the heck, if I mess it up I'll just fill in the blower hood and go with that look. LOL Thanks for watching.
Hey Mark, I'm happy you're doing a '68 Firebird. I have the same in my stash, so I'll be picking up all your tips for my build! I've got the earlier kit, no date on the box but everything is the same, but the decals which give a choice of builds being a '2 in 1'. It's from the 'Revell Muscle' series with a silver one on the box. Great build Mark with the Mustang! So many cool tips thankyou very much. I'll let you go for now, & I hope you have a better tomorrow also. Take care.🦘
Thank you very much. I think this is going to be a great kit to build. I always start off with high hopes. LOL Yes, I think your kit came out in 2001 if I'm not mistaken.
@@grandpamarkshobbies Yeah, I think you're right about being 2001, although I found, (on instructions), a 'copyright' for 2009. Hey, an 'FYI' extra: After watching your video, one popped up on my server of a 'Dr Kranky' build on your same Firebird, if you want to see what's in store! See ya again Mark, and always, take care. 👍
@@grandpamarkshobbies Yes, I think right about my earlier Firebird being a 2001 kit. I did reply earlier, but I can't see it anywhere! (Wrong button probably)? I just wanted to let you know that after watching your video, one popped up on my server about a 'Dr Cranky' build of your Firebird kit! Just in case you wanted to see what's in store for you. Anyhow, as always, take care. Catch ya. 👍
Thank you. I will watch it. Always good to have a game plan when I start.
@@grandpamarkshobbies Sorry, you did get my earlier message! I can see it now.. Thanks. 🥴
Gas pedal molded to the floor because most of us , that is were we kept it . HAHAHA 😂😂😂
LOL. Right!!!!!!
Ok now I will pick one up should be a fun build.
The instructions seem very straight forward too. I just wish the back clip could be glued in before the chassis goes down, but it sure wouldn't fit.
Hi, they put 6 red lines in to also do the slicks. Although I’ve never seen a red line slick.
OOOOOOO I never for one second thought about red lining the slicks. Good call.
Looks like a fun kit! It's kind of fun to relive memories by building models of what we used to own. I've got a Tamiya '66 VW Beetle, several Moebius Ford bumpside (67-72 model years) pickups to re-create my '69 F250 and '68 F100 (which I made a trailer out of), and the one car I really wish I still had: a 1970 Ford Torino GT. That one cost me $50, but I just had to have it! Speaking of Moebius, any plans to do a build up of that 66 F100 you teased us with a while back?
It is so fun to relive our past in these kits. Yes, I do plan to do both of the Mobius kits. I just keep getting side tracked by builds that are called to build first. Soon I'll be doing this full time and I'll be able to catch up.
Should be an interesting take on the Rockford Firebird, it was a very basic car but a great tv show.
I've thought hard about removing the scoops, but dang I think they look so darn good. LOL I'll keep the spirit of the car even though it's a 400.
I think Rockford would have had the scoops when he was younger. 😀
LOL. I may go both ways. Since it has the hood with the blower I may fill that in and use that hood. I'll paint both of them up and see what I like best, but it's a thought.
great vid have this kit always like unboxings to see what others see as well 😁🤩couldve had the 1/1 red/white int for 2500 that was almost 40 yrs ago😁🤩scooter😎ps always the one ya didnt buy 🤣
I picked up a 74 for 500 bucks back in 85. It ran ok, but by the time I got done with it it was a beast. I had a blast with it while I had it, but got rid of it to pay for my son. Best trade I've ever made. But I still have a huge soft spot for the old style Firebirds.
😎
Yup, nice build, I tried the red stripes on tires, it was a nightmare.....
Not sure if you saw my video on how to stripe tires or not. It is so much easier than those decals.
I saw your video and bought the compass tool and ink tip on Amazon. Haven't tried it yet.
@@grandpamarkshobbies thanks, nice. the issue is the redline decals are half the size of the ones you have done on your video.
Yes, that's because the tip I have is garbage. When I find a good tip I'll be able to close that up. But I still think they look great.
I also had a firebird
Just like Jim Rockfords
Nice I had a 74 but it started life green with a black vinyl roof. It'd still do the J turn just like Big Jim's would.
I leaned the J-turn in my '68 AMX. Ltaer did it with the '75 Firebird, took a little more effort with the longer wheelbase. The short AMX was much less stable, I could brake and regain traction at will. But with it's 290 V8, it topped out at 104MPH, but got there mighty fast. The Firebird had highway gearing and was a lot faster. I pegged the speedo more than once. 😅
Always a lot of fun.
Yes Paperclip Vinyl Makes plug & Distributor Boots Wires? Grocery Produce Twist ties Stripped of Plastic or Paper & They're Free instead of Paying Hobby Shops For Supply
Yes sir, and I really try and build on the cheap.
@@grandpamarkshobbies The Hate Seeing Models at Contests with Tons of Bought Parts It shows less Skill &; imagination
I totally agree with that one. There's so much you can do for no cash at all that looks just as good. Now for ships I'll use PE, but not for cars. I want them to be from the box and what I can find. LOL
Awesome Mark. Another FB GB really... Lol Nope can't get me on there so quit trying... Lol
So it's a 68 and not a 69? I'm a bit confused... 😕 I know talking is hard like getting in to those box's. 🤣
Yes I'm a Pontiac guy from way back... Had a 68, 69, 72 Grand Prix's... Man I had all kinds of mussel cars like the 66 Fairlane GT/Gta, 64 Galaxy 500 with 390's, 5 Scout Trucks and several other Fords and Dodges... 😁
LLAP 🖖
Yeah, I don't blame you one bit. It's a 68, but my brain was on coffee overload and I said 69 twice. LOL My brother had a LeManse Sport Coupe in blue. I really liked that car. The Firebird I picked up in the Navy was a 74 350. I did a lot of engine and suspension work to it. First transmission I ever rebuilt. I never updated the distributor, or the Rochester carb. It ran ok when I got it, but after all the work I did it flew, and it handled like a formula 1 after I did the suspension work. It sure was a great car. Now I drive a socker mom suv. Funny how things change. LOL
@@grandpamarkshobbies I do have some GTO kits 64-69, if it is a Pontiac GB I can do my YT build I guess... Lol Well see where I at in June. How long is the GB?
All my Pontiac's had 400 stock engines and I can tell ya the 69 spedo went to 140 and I seen 125 in it before I backed down and she was still going... 🤯 That long nose was stretched out there om front and leading the way down the road.. 😁
Yep me too and the seats are folded down and the dogs have the whole back of the Suv...🤣🐕🐾
LLAP 🖖
When were you in the Navy? I was in 1980-86. Bought my 75 Firebird in early 1982.
Group builds never have ending dates. So jump in when you can. I had the 74 to 120, but I bailed before it did. LOL I also had it to 100 with a U haul trailer behind it once. That was fun.
83 to 87 USS Ranger.
Nice 😅
Thank you very much.
@@grandpamarkshobbies your very welcome 😁
Firebird = is the Phoenix bird
Yes. Love them too.
Where did you get that
I want one
Found it on Amazon on accident.
Ordered mine there too. Should be delivered Thursday. I had seen it on one of these YT channels. Had to have it! 😊
You got the wrong year for the.rockford car he drives a 1976
In The Rockford Files, Jim Rockford drove a1974-1978. In the pilot movie and Season 1, he drove a 1974 Firebird, then switched to the next model year every season except Season 6 which premiered in 1979. Rockford continued to drive the 1978 model as he didn't like what Pontiac did to the front end of the 79.
This build was a "What If" car. What would he have driven in 68 if he got a new car every year like he did in the show.
Supposedly James Garner took part in how that car would look. based on the character being a poor private eye. he thought the car should be basic. he wasn't a fan of the front end of the cars towards end of the series run.
Yes, he wanted the Esprit version body style. You are right. He hated the front end of the newer car, and wouldn't replace the year before because of it. I never liked that split 4 headlight front end either. It was because of that show that I got mine. It was a 74 350 plane jane green with a vinyl roof. I did a lot of work to it to bring up the power and handling, but kept the points and Rochester carb. It was a fun car, and I got darn good at the J turn if I don't say so myself. LOL
I found some good info online about the Rockford cars. They used '74s through '78s. All Formulas made to look like Esprits, as they wanted the extra performance. Garner did most of his own stunts and driving.
Yep. He wanted a working man's car, but sure knew how to put the ponies to good use.